dijlahpoint - The Federal Integrity Commission revealed on Wednesday that more than 41,000 taxpayers evaded paying fees owed to the Baghdad Municipality during 2025, calling for the adoption of electronic and legal mechanisms to enhance fee collection and increase municipal revenues.

The commission stated in a report prepared after conducting field visits to a number of Baghdad Municipality departments and boroughs, that some boroughs achieved revenues exceeding 37 billion dinars during the past year, surpassing the planned amount.

It added that it called on the Baghdad Municipality to establish a unified mechanism for collecting debts arising from profession and advertising fees and waste removal costs, to comply with the procedures stipulated in the Government Debt Collection Law, and not to resort to illegal measures such as sealing shops or placing concrete blocks.

The commission explained that it proposed establishing a unified electronic platform enabling taxpayers to inquire about fees and debts owed and amounts paid, noting the lack of clarity in the basis for calculating some fees and citizens' weak knowledge of the amounts due.

It affirmed that it recommended intensifying media campaigns to raise awareness of fee regulations and the possibility of installment payments, along with periodically reviewing fee estimates in a manner that takes into account the economic situation, achieves fairness, and encourages payment compliance, in addition to not granting or renewing licenses for a number of sectors and professions, including tourism, hotels, banks, exchange companies, hospitals, private clinics, goldsmith shops and workshops, gas stations, and generators, except after presenting a clearance certificate from Baghdad Municipality departments.

It noted that work continues to date with the profession and business estimates adopted by the Baghdad Municipality since 2018, calling for their updating in line with economic variables and maximizing state resources.